Former English skipper Michael Vaughan has rated Virat Kohli above Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara in ODI cricket. He has often lauded Virat Kohli for his exceptional display in international cricket. After he notched up his 41st ODI ton, Vaughan took to twitter to praise the Indian skipper. “The (GOAT) is at it again … #Virat”
When Vaughan was asked by a Twitter user if he actually rates Virat Kohli above Don Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara, he replied in the affirmative.
Virat Kohli is being hailed by cricket fraternity for his well compiled 123 runs in Ranchi. His knock, however, went in vain as Australia defeated India by 32 runs to keep the ongoing series alive.
Meanwhile, Ian Bell, who is regarded as one of the best English batsmen, has also lauded Virat Kohli. “Absolutely next level! Have run out of words to describe this guy!” Bell wrote.
Former Aussie opener and one of the commentators in the ongoing ODI series between India and Australia, Matthew Hayden has heaped praise on Virat.
“Absolutely staggering. I am trying to think back, check the memory banks of brilliant players over the years. Maybe Brian Lara in his heyday, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly all these players have been on top of their game at various points in one-day cricket. But Virat Kohli is doing it so easy. He is drifting away to a hundred. Not only that, just the way he is transcending every game seems to be a different performance,” Hayden told Star Sports after Australia’s win on Friday.
“I think he has always got great energy and the intent and he’s got the fitness to be able to do it. It’s almost like one performance leads to the next. His tempo is incredible. We saw the likes of Vijay that had an opportunity to bat with him. That’s only going to be good for India ahead of the World Cup.”
One need not compare players of different era’s. Comparing Sachin with Bradman was a figment of imagination, hype created by media and bigwigs from cricketing world, to remain in news and create a new debate. Pitch of the game is ever changing, getting fast paced and big time money is involved. Ever changing rules that is becoming batter friendly. Huge totals are being scored in finite overs (20, 50 overs), unthinkable even in Test matches with unlimited time and overs in hand. See the torment of the players caught on spinning pitch or green tops with ball swinging at speed exceeding 140 km an hour and the world class batsmen are seen getting out on poor scores and team getting bowled out on double digits!